Reverse sneezing and sneezing

Hi. Iv been trying to get what ever advice i can about my 12 male that has started reverse sneezing and normal sneezing.  

He has had this problem for the last 6 months or so. He has been reverse sneezing regularly, maybe once or twice a day. And seems to have a semi blocked nose.
The reverse sneezing is similar to what the cat in this video does 


I have taken him to the vet a number of times now for the problem but it still remains. The vets prescribed antibiotics which worked instantly and stopped the sneezing however after a month or so it comes back. She doesn't want to give him more antibiotics as he has already had three courses and even though it's working temporarily it hasn't cured the problem long term.

He has had a nasal flush and skull xrays which were normal and had no signs of blockage or foreign bodies. He has also had tests done on some nasal discharge that came back negative although im not certain what they tested for.

Iv been giving him lysine twice a day with no apparent results. 
I can't be certain but im fairly sure his vaccines were all up to date as he see's the vet fairly regularly for check ups etc.

So i am just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what might be going on? My thoughts are it must be some sort of infection as antibiotics work instantly but if so why is it coming back?
At the moment i am waiting for a specialist to contact me that the vet has set up but i really would like to get as much input as possible.

It's really hard watching him have these issues and not being able to help him.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated. 

No one has any advice at all? 
A few other things i forgot to mention before.

He has been wormed and regularly treated for fleas. He doesn't get any discharge around the eyes.

He won't let me look at his teeth, but he doesn't seem to be having any trouble eating and doesn't paw at his face or anything like that. Could tooth problems cause reverse sneezing?

I may be imagining this but he seems to get a raise in temperature right before a sneeze attack. It's hard to tell though for certain.

I tried changing his food in all sorts of ways under the assumption it may be due to a food allergy however there was no change no matter what i gave him.

I am at a total loss now for what to try next. The fact that antibiotics works kind of scares me as if he has an infection of some kind and it's not treated it could get much worse.  Also the fact that it works but it comes back, does that mean his immune system is low?
If anyone has any sort of suggestion of something i could try id be really grateful.

Hi @Fodder, I wish I did have advice for you, but I didn't even know what 'reverse sneezing' was until watching the video you posted.

Yes, tooth infections can cause sneezing in cats. (My rainbow cat Spotty, did sneeze a lot, just prior to his teeth getting bad, at age 14 yrs.)

But I did not see any Reverse Sneezing, just normal sneezing. And it was not daily.

Hopefully, seeing the Specialist will help give you answers.

Since you've already done a "Sensitivity and Culture Test" on the discharge, I'm not sure why your vet would not want to try other antibiotics, which may help.

I would get a copy of this test, since you paid for it, and bring it with you to the Specialist, as well as all other medical tests, and treatments that were given.

Your clinic, will probably fax it over to the specialist, but you can always have a copy for your home records.

Is there any possibility that he has Asthma?

Or some type of Seasonal Allergy? Did your vet not suggest trying Zyrtec, or any other anti-allergy med?

There is another older thread here, called 'snot rockets' but it does not sound like what is happening to your cat, and unfortunately, I don't think the member has found something to resolve it, yet, either.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/310965/snot-rockets-history-of-chronic-sneezing

I wish I had something more helpful to offer.

Your poor cat, having this daily for the last six months.

Thank you for the reply. Luckily he has mostly been free from it for the past six months as he has been on antibiotics which clear it right up. Once the antibiotics wear off though it is a daily problem. The reason the vet doesn't want to give him more is that she has tried 3 different types with the same result. It works for a month or 2 and then comes back. Im not sure but i think it's not good for them to be on antibiotics so regularly to.

The vet herself has set me up with the specialist and his given  him all of the xrays and test results. He should have access to my cats entire medical history.

I mentioned allergies to my vet last time i was in there but she didn't try any medication for it. It was her strong belief that he had something stuck in his air ways causing the problem but the examination she did found nothing. I will be talking to her again soon and i will make the suggestion again. I think there must be other signs that go along with allergies that made her suspect that wasn't the cause.

It is definitely not asthma. I have another cat that actually has asthma and the symptoms are quite different. I did give him a test shot of her inhaler though but there was  no sign of any improvement.

Today iv tried giving him another dose of worming tablets. I read another post on here where the posters cat had reverse sneezing which subsided by worming, however it took 2 doses to fully cure the problem. It would be absolutely amazing if the cure was so simple but i have strong doubts it will work for him.

Im dreading the price tag for the specialist but you can't put a price on the health and well being of your babies. I always operate under the impression that when you decide to be a cat owner you also decide to do what ever is necessary to keep them as healthy and happy as you can until the day they die. I would sooner starve myself than see my pets go untreated. It really bothers me when people say they have a very sick pet yet don't want to spend money to see the vet.  I have personally spent thousands over the years on mine and don't regret one cent of it.

Anyway, Thank you very much for your reply cat nap. I truly value any opinion or ideas i can get from anyone so i really appreciate your reply. 

 

Yes, @Fodder, I think you read the same thread I just did about the kitten with reverse sneezing.

It was the second thread down, after putting 'reverse sneezing' in the 'Search bar'.

http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=reverse+sneezing+

I really hope that the deworming helps with your guy.

And the other thread I read mentioned Zyrtec, for allergies. (It's probably because it seems like "post nasal drip" that humans get. Until the cat clears his throat.)

Glad to hear that it was not the entire six months.

If you can, can you update after seeing the Specialist.

I so hope it won't be dreadfully expensive, but yes, I know how expensive Specialists can be, (went to see a cat cardiologist, but it is so worth it, when you get results.)

Sending you and your guy, plenty of health vibes.

Oh, and if you can get a video of your cat reverse sneezing, on your phone or camera, then I'd bring it in, for the Specialist to see.

And don't forget to ask the Vet or Specialist about the Dental Check.

All the good luck sent your way.

Thanks cat nap.  Apparently the specialist is going to call me some time this week to set up an appointment and discuss what he thinks the prob might be. I will definitely post back with what ever findings i can get.
Thank you again for your replies. 

Fodder said:

 
Thanks cat nap.  Apparently the specialist is going to call me some time this week to set up an appointment and discuss what he thinks the prob might be. I will definitely post back with what ever findings i can get.
Thank you again for your replies. 

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@Fodder...that sounds very good, about the specialist calling you this week.

I, too, wonder why the antibiotics would take care of the sneezing, but then the same issue would come back again?

Also, I did go online to read a little more about reverse sneezing.

One of the sites, did mention using Panacur as a dewormer, to treat for "lungworms"...I never even heard of lungworms in cats.

Other sites mentioned polyps, and middle ear infections, but again, that would all be things, that your Vet would have ruled out.

(not to mention, wouldn't middle ear infections cause other symptoms, too.)

I really hope that it is something simple.

And an easy treatment.

Wow cat nap, you are awesome I had also never heard of lung worms until this occurred. I will look in to the one you mentioned above. I got one from the vet and gave it to him yesterday, at first i thought it was helping but today he is sneezing like crazy(normal sneezing) and also had a reverse sneeze attack. 
He had a full check up done under anaesthetic for any polyps or anything similar but there was nothing.

It's really quite a worry. He seems to get quite warm when he has a reverse sneeze attack. I hope there isn't some sort of infection getting worse inside him while im waiting on the specialist to call.

I wish I knew how to take a cat's temperature, rectally.

Because he might be getting warm because of the sneeze attack, or like you mentioned, an infection brewing.

If you were able to take his temperature over time, then you'd know.

Does your cat seem to groom a lot before the sneeze attacks?

And does his breath smell bad?

He does't groom overly. Usually the sneeze attacks start while he is sleeping. He will just wake up randomly and start having a reverse sneeze attack. His breath, hmm, well, that's one thing iv been watching lately to. He does this thing where if you make a kissing noise to him he will bump in to your nose. Some times when he is really happy he will do it over and over so i get a good smell sometimes. It seems like the worming tablet made his breath smell less but i don't know how that would be possible. It doesn't usually smell overly bad anyway, not enough for me to think he has tooth problems but after giving him the worming tab there was almost no smell at all.
Unfortunately i don't have a thermometer to test his temp but i might try to get one in the near future. I have just been going off feeling his ears and nose. It seems like right around the time he has a sneeze attack his temp goes up. It could just be me being paranoid but it certainly seems to be the case. I have no clue why that would happen.

At the moment it is one big frustrating mystery.

I'm currently researching more about lung worms after your suggestion. The vet never mentioned it could be a problem and i know very little about it. I wonder if the generic worming tabs that the vet sells even cover that type of worm. I might have to ask the vet more about Panacur.

Thanks heaps for al of your help 
 

That is very interesting to note, that he reverse sneezes upon waking up.

(Like he has to clear his nasal passages or throat while waking up.)

Do you notice excessive snoring, as well?

(Interesting about the breath, too. Perhaps the worming tablet just changes the gastric secretions, slightly, or saliva, so you don't notice the breath smell, so much.)

The physical sneeze attack itself, is probably causing a rise in his ears feeling warm, (sort of like us humans, when our blood pressure rises slightly, upon physical exertion)

It's hard not to be paranoid.  I would do exactly what you are doing, keep an eye on this, plus on the amount of water he drinks, food he eats, and his normal bowel movements,...which you do anyhow.

What is difficult, too, about this,...is they mention reverse sneezing in dogs as no big deal, but in cats, it does not happen as much.

It is frustrating.

Oh, and I forgot to ask your cat's name? So I can send him proper 'heath vibes'. (You never know, sometimes health vibes help.)    

(You don't have to answer right away, @Fodder, just when you have time. Look after yourself, too, get plenty of rest and eat well.)

His name is L.B.O or little black one. I call him LB or as the vets write it down(even after explaining it) Elby lol.

He does't wake up and start to sneeze. The sneezing wakes him. Usually he is lying there fast asleep and then out of nowhere, BAM.
With the breath thing, i noticed that the antibiotics also make it smell less.
That's an interesting point about the temperature however sometimes i notice it's a bit high right before he sneezes. Like i can tell it's coming because his nose and ears are warm. It could be coincidence but it seems that way. Also he does snore a little but he has been doing so for years without the sneezing problems. The vet has listened to his breathing and heart and determined there was no cause for concern there.

I am going to get some panacur tomorrow from the vet. They have to order it in because they don't usually stock it. It's a 5 day liquid treatment. Hopefully it helps him out a bit. Im trying absolutely everything i can think of.
It would be great to get to the bottom of this, not only for his sake but for anyone in the future experiencing similar symptoms to reflect on.

Thank you again so much cat nap. Your suggestions have been fantastic. I really appreciate your input   

L.B.O. (Little Black One)...I love it. And L.B. or "Elby" is excellent, as well.    (Yes, I suppose Vets use 'shorthand and acronyms' for things...so the 'L.B.O. or LB' really throws them for a loop.)

So annoying that the sneezes actually wake L.B. up. 

I would ask your Vet about the Zyrtec, too.

Also mention how LB's ears feel warmer, before a sneeze attack. That sounds important.

Hoping that the dewormer helps, and does not cause unwanted side-effects. (I hate negative side effects in meds, for our cats.)

Sending Little Black One, LBO, all the Health Vibes.    And that you find helpful treatment very soon.

(I also appreciate your thread, Fodder, because it will definitely help others who read it, and you are going to all lengths to help L.B.O.)

Hi @Fodder,

any improvements with LBO? It might be too early to tell.

(I was thinking about 'acid reflux' and if that could possibly cause sneezing in cats.)

You did mention trying out different Limited Ingredient Foods, though, and that did not show any improvements?

Hoping that your Specialist knows exactly what it is.

No word from the specialist so far. Im going to call them again on Monday to see if there is any news. 
At the moment i have him on a five day coarse of panacur. He really hates it ! it's like a white chalky liquid and every time i give him some he shakes his head and sprays is around the room,lol.
Luckily that will be over soon.
Unfortunately he is still reverse sneezing although it seems to have slowed down a bit. I think i may have found a possible culprit. Today he let me examine his teeth briefly and im pretty sure he has a resorptive lesion on his lower left tooth, the one behind the canine. No clue if that cold be the cause but he will probably be getting that tooth out this week anyhow, another $500 but oh well.
Just as i was witting this he had another reverse sneeze fit, quite a bad one to. It's really stressing me out. Im literally losing sleep over it trying to monitor him and look for solutions. I hope the specialist can help or the tooth removal possibly. Im pretty much out of ideas otherwise.  

If it is a resorptive lesion, on his lower left tooth,...I would have that done asap.

It can indeed be the cause of extra saliva, infection, mucus.

Here's a good online article, that a member posted about resorptive lesions, FORLs:

http://www.kingwestvets.com/cat-cavities/

(If the panacur dewormer, is similar to what humans drink in 'milk of magnesia' looking,...then I don't blame LBO for shaking his head and spraying it around. 'White chalky liquid'...does not sound the least bit tasty, no matter what species you are.)   Poor guy, I hope that five day course is over soon.

Vibes that you find the solution, soon.

Thanks cat nap. Your support and information have been fantastic.
I hope the tooth is the cause and the reverse sneezing goes away once it's gone. I just hope he hasn't been in pain for long. It doesn't look too advanced but who knows how long it's been bothering him. If the sneezing has been around for 6 months he might have been in pain that whole time! Im getting really anxious about it, I wish it wasn't the weekend and it could be done immediately.
Last day of panacur today 

Fodder said:

 
Thanks cat nap. Your support and information have been fantastic.
I hope the tooth is the cause and the reverse sneezing goes away once it's gone. I just hope he hasn't been in pain for long. It doesn't look too advanced but who knows how long it's been bothering him. If the sneezing has been around for 6 months he might have been in pain that whole time! Im getting really anxious about it, I wish it wasn't the weekend and it could be done immediately.
Last day of panacur today 

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You are very welcome, Fodder.

Don't beat yourself up, about the tooth.

(My rainbow cat Spotty was 14 yrs old, and needed to have six teeth extracted. I had switched Vets, and missed one of his normal Vet visits, plus thought his bad breath had to do with the canned food he was eating. I missed everything completely. He only sneezed a lot right near when it got badly infected.)

Cats hide pain so well. They continue eating, and doing everything normally, until they don't.

Woohoo! A cheer for the last day of panacur from me, as well. That stuff sounds awful tasting.

So frustrating.    Vet says the tooth doesn't need to come out. She says its just swollen gum or something but i don't know. it looks like a resorptive lesion to me. I guess she knows better 

He is now on a 45 day antibiotic. Again the reverse sneezing has stopped completely. He is still sneezing a bit more than normal but its definitely helping. 
I talked to the specialist. Basically he wanted to do the same thing my vet has already done and put a camera up his nose to have a look around.  The only difference is he wants to charge 1k to do it.
Also its a 2 hour drive each way to see him and LB gets so stressed out in cars! last time i took him for a 30 min drive the vet had to put him on oxygen when we arrived!

My vet said there isn't much point as he will only be able to see slightly further in than they already have so for now im gonna give it a miss and see how these antibiotics go. If it comes back after this run of antibiotics i will take him for more scans and testing. I just hope i can find a cure for him in the end and that there is nothing major wrong.

Originally Posted by Fodder  

So frustrating. 

  Vet says the tooth doesn't need to come out. She says its just swollen gum or something but i don't know. it looks like a resorptive lesion to me. I guess she knows better 

He is now on a 45 day antibiotic. Again the reverse sneezing has stopped completely. He is still sneezing a bit more than normal but its definitely helping. 
I talked to the specialist. Basically he wanted to do the same thing my vet has already done and put a camera up his nose to have a look around.  The only difference is he wants to charge 1k to do it.
Also its a 2 hour drive each way to see him and LB gets so stressed out in cars! last time i took him for a 30 min drive the vet had to put him on oxygen when we arrived!

My vet said there isn't much point as he will only be able to see slightly further in than they already have so for now im gonna give it a miss and see how these antibiotics go. If it comes back after this run of antibiotics i will take him for more scans and testing. I just hope i can find a cure for him in the end and that there is nothing major wrong.

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Interesting that the antibiotics work that quickly to stop the reverse sneezing, or lessen it.  And you have already done a culture on the nasal discharge, so what your Vet is prescribing sounds effective.

Also good that at least the Specialist was honest and mentioned all the things he would be doing, which your Vet has already done.

If it does come back, and I hope it does not, you can always opt for a dental x-ray being done, to check on the roots of LB's teeth.

But you already mentioned that skull x-rays were done, so perhaps those also included the teeth, back then.

Hoping that the antibiotic takes care of the swollen gum, too.

Still sending LBO all the health vibes, that this course of antibiotics cures him of any, and all sneezing.

Thanks for this update, @Fodder.